Soul Vida Women
Writing to Awaken Your Living Soul
Because the path to healing isn’t external or internal... it's both.
A Soul Vida Women's Writing Course is designed to bring what is on the inside to the outside in a beneficial, even healing, way through a special writing practice.
This Expressive Writing Practice, developed by Ann Keeling, combines optimized movement exercises with writing by hand to clear writing blocks, reset old habits, and express yourself in new ways. Tap into your most creative and vital self using these simple, yet powerful techniques.
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The Expressive Writing Practice includes:
Brain Wake
Simple hand and body movement exercises sync up both brain hemispheres, tap into creativity, improve blood flow, invigorate new thoughts and ideas, and increase our body's natural ability to heal.
Free Write by Hand
Writing by hand increases mindful writing which rests the brain and unlocks potential creativity. Pathways in the brain are activated that manage emotion, language, thinking, and memory.
Deep Write
Diving deeper through prompts, close reads, and rewrites provides the opportunity to discover new stories as well as unlock past experiences and habits that may hold us back from realizing our healthiest, most creative selves.
The Community
Join with other women on the same path of discovery through Write Together sessions, Be Heard Now salons, weekly Soul Vida Cafes on Zoom as well as Live Meet-ups and Retreats at locations around the world.
This practice is for YOU if you desire to:
*Research shows that thought suppression negatively impacts the immune system, while dealing with emotions through expressive writing can actually improve immune system functioning.
Life-Altering
"The Soul Vida Women course was a life-altering experience. It was a unique course, with a strong focus on self-discovery, taught in an extremely safe environment, facilitated by such a talented, caring and motivated person!"
Mary M.
Torrance, CA
Expert Guidance
"Annie expertly crafts an incredibly thoughtful group writing experience, incorporating the somatic and the refined. Her expert guidance created a safe and welcoming environment and her enthusiasm for the art is contagious."
Julie M.
Santa Cruz, CA
Unexpected Surprises
"Before this course, I dreaded writing. Now I can’t wait to write! I know how easy, fun and pleasurable it can be. I have delighted in the unexpected surprises, insights and touching revelations that have emerged in my writings. So much so, that now when I sit to write, I am a bit like a kid in a candy store, eager to discover what delights will find their way to me from the realm of the mysterious."
Sonika T.
Meadow Vista, CA
Course is a combination of live community meetings with on-demand work-at-your-pace prompts and suggestions.
FAQ: Information About the Class
What's included in the course?
The course includes ten Modules with author inspirations, beneficial movements, writing prompts, and reflection questions.
There are six Live Zoom sessions that include a Welcome Party, Group-Meet-ups, Write Together, Be Heard, and chances to Share Writing.
Each writer will have a Google doc folder where they can share their writings from the prompts. Other participants will have access in order to read and give feedback on their reading experience.
What's included in the Modules?
Two Modules a week for 5 weeks will be made available in your Member Portal.
Each Module consists of:
1. Author Inspiration - a book on writing will be highlighted along with the author of that book
2. Brain Wake - A carefully chosen set of simple exercise to engage both hemispheres of the brain
3. Free Write - Free-form writing for 6 minutes
4. Deep Write - Writing for 10-30 minutes about a given prompt (or any material that came up in the Free Write).
5. Share - There will be an opportunity to share your prompt writing with others in a Google doc format.
What's included in the Live Zoom Sessions?
Soul Vida Cafe (60 min) live Zoom gatherings include the following:
1. Group Meet-ups - where you can meet other members, share writing experiences, ask questions.
2. Write Together sessions - Focus in and bring pen to paper for a timed writing with other course participants (use a given prompt or work on existing material)
3. Be Heard salons - Break into small groups; each person reads 5 min (approx. 500 words); participants respond with appreciation or what worked for them.
When are the Modules available?
Modules Drop Dates
When you register: Pre-Course Module with all the course details will be made available
Then, two modules will arrive in your Member Portal on the following dates:
Sunday May 7: Course Officially Opens
Monday, May 8: Modules 1-2 (comes to your email inbox)
Monday, May 15: Modules 3-4
Monday, May 22: Modules 5-6
Monday, May 29: Modules 7-8
Monday, June 5: Modules 9-10
Sunday, June 11: Continue to work with material
Sunday, June 18: Course ends
When are the Live Sessions?
May 2023
All LIVE Zooms take place at 5:30 pm PST / 8:30 pm EST
Tues May 9 - Welcome Party / Q&A
Mon May 15 - SVW Cafe 1: Bring Author or Writing Quote
Sun May 21 - SVW Cafe 2: Write Together/Be Heard - The Ordinary
Sun May 28 - OFF
Sun June 4 - SVW Cafe 3: Share Writing
Sun June 11 - SVW Cafe 4: Write Together/Be Heard - The Kiss
Sun June 18 - SVW Cafe 5 - Share Writing
Upon joining, you will have the option to add the various Zoom sessions to your Google calender.
What if I can't make all the Live Sessions?
Not a problem. The accountability, sharing, and community opportunities can be experienced by attending as many or as little of these that work for your schedule.
How much time should I expect to spend daily?
There are two modules released each week. Each module is designed to take about an hour depending how deep a dive you feel like for that particular prompt or writing idea. Some people do the whole module in one sitting. Others spend a few days on each module, spreading out the time they spend on that material. There will be an opportunity to read and comment on the shared writing of others. In addition there are Live Zoom sessions that you are encouraged to attend.
I'm not really a "writer." Can I still participate?
Absolutely. Writing is for everyone. And the benefits of the Expressive Writing Practice are for everyone - no matter if you are newly experimenting with writing or have a career in writing.
Is there any 1:1 coaching on my writing as part of this class?
While there are no 1:1 sessions, there are opportunities to share your work within the program in a Google doc folder and receive comments from others. In the group meetings you can ask questions, share your personal experience, hear about others, and find answers to questions you didn't even know you wanted to ask.
Will I become a published writer upon completion?
The emphasis of this course is bringing what is inside of each writer to the outside in a beneficial, even healing, way. While not a goal of this course, some writers have continued to work with the material that they generated- rewriting, refining, polishing - and yes, submitting their work to public venues.
Do I have to be on-camera for the live sessions?
There are no "have-to's" or "shoulds" in this course. When possible, though, being on-camera is not only beneficial for the other participants and the possibility of building commmunity - it's also for you. On-camera gives your brain the message that this experience is important enough to bring your full self to the party! Some participants have shared that feelings of risk and vulnerability of being on-camera actually translate positively to their writing.
What will I need in order to share my writing with others?
You will need a gmail account in order to share your work. Once you have this, a personal Google folder will be shared with you as an Editor. Other participants will also be given access as a Commenter and can provide feedback directly in the margins of your work.
Is there a confidentiality agreement?
Yes! Upon completion of registration, you will be forwarded a confidentiality agreement to read and sign. This brings in the reminder and full transparency that we are a safe community. What is shared in Soul Vida stays in Soul Vida - and all writing and shared ideas are the property of the writer. Please return promptly once received in order to continue with the course.
What is the cost for the 5 weeks?
The fee is $197.00.
Do you have questions?
If you need any more information or have a question, please email Ann.
Ann Keeling, MFA, has taught writing, dance, and music to children and adults for over 35 years. With an MFA in Creative Writing-Goddard College, she has been Editor-in-Chief of the Pitkin Review, short-listed for the 2022 Force Majeure flash fiction contest, and her writing has appeared in many literary online and print journals.
Ann also has an MFA in Dance-UCLA and a BS in Dance Therapy-UW-Madison. She is certified in Strategic Coaching, Brain Gym 1 and 2, Psychosynthesis, Acupressure Massage, CranioSacral Therapy, and the Dale Carnegie Leadership Program.
Living on the Central Coast of California with her husband and dog, she appreciates every visit from her grown son.
Wonderful Course
"Soul Vida Women opened me to writing about my life, including parts that aren't always easy to explore. I felt safe with Annie and the group of women. I appreciated the chance to share and listen to others. Overall, a wonderful course taught by an insightful woman."
Manjula S.
Santa Cruz, CA
Meaningful
"The SVW writing course surprised me in so many ways. Instead of the resistance I expected, I felt an energy shift and a resolution to continue. There is such a sweetness that runs through the course, how inviting and loving. The structure had the effect of quickly getting me out of my head and into a writing flow I didn’t know was possible. Kudos to Annie Keeling for using many of her talents to design and teach writing curriculum in such a positive, well thought out, fun yet meaningful way!"
Lauren R.
Nevada City, CA
Thought-provoking
and fun!
"I started this class with some trepidation, and ended it with joy and gratitude. The Soul Vida Women writing course was extremely well organized, thought-provoking, and fun. I loved the encouragement from all the other women in the class as well as from Annie."
Betsy G.
Morro Bay, CA
Loved this Course
"I am enriched with each offering here - a richness expanding the mystery of the human experience. A freedom I didn’t expect and a permission to write. It was fun exploring writing with other women for a month and it went by so fast. It was a time for self-reflection and it helped me focus.
Loved this course."
Laura H.
Nevada City, CA
Finding my Voice
"The Soul Vida Women course was a life-altering experience. It was a unique course, with a strong focus on self-discovery, taught in an extremely safe environment, facilitated by such a talented, caring and motivated person!"
Lauri A.
Morro Bay, CA
Heart and Spirit
"This course provides a plethora of tools, ideas, brain-sparks, mind/body connection, and inspiration. I'm greatly impressed by the format, organization of information, technological incorporation, and most importantly, the heart and spirit of the course conductor! This class offered me the encouragement to continue forward - a great opportunity to launch or dig deeper (i.e. any level of entry)."
Sharon S.
Rough and Ready, CA
Contact: Ann Keeling
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